An elderly Ohio man was charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed a woman in his driveway after both were allegedly victimized by the scam callers.
William Brock, 86, told law enforcement that he had received a call from scammers demanding money and making threats. An Uber driver subsequently arrived at his home, on March 25, and attempted to pick up a package.
Investigators discovered that the Uber driver, 61-year-old Lo Letha Hall, had received calls from scammers telling her to pick up a package at Brock's home. Hall was unaware that the same scammer had been in contact with Brock, WCMH reported.
Brock allegedly held Hall at gunpoint and demanded that she reveal the identities of the men he had spoken with on the phone. He allegedly refused to let the woman leave his property and seized her cell phone. At no point in their encounter did Brock call 911 or ask anyone else for help dealing with the situation.
Hall attempted to flee the scene but Brock chased after her and then allegedly discharged his weapon, striking Hall. The two then got into a physical altercation and Brock sustained minor injuries. Brock shot Hall twice more before calling 911 and reporting that he had shot a robber.
Hall was transported to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her wounds, WSYX reported.
Authorities charged Brock with murder, on the grounds that Hall never posed an active threat to him. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and posted a $200,000 bond. He expected to appear in court again on April 22.
An earlier version of this article said that Brock was 81. Police later clarified that he was 86.
